Hmmm......I'm sure I had feet when I set off...

litwardle
litwardle Posts: 259
edited August 2011 in Road beginners
Hi All,

Recently back on the road bike after about 9 months off (all work and no play makes Lee a dull boy) Using Shmano SH-RO85's with yellow cleats. They're the next size up so plenty of room however after about a couple of miles feet start to tingle.from then on my soles and toes start to numb until eventually I can't feel them aside from a nice dull-ache!

Went out today for about 20 Miles. I used to put it down to the cold but today was a scorcher!

Any ideas please? :D

Lee
Chubbs Cycle Challenge! 3 Chubbs, 3 bikes, 1000 miles for S.U.D.E.P. Action

Comments

  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    Sounds like poor circulation to me but if it persists it might be worth seeing your doctor.
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • coopsman1
    coopsman1 Posts: 337
    I had exactly the same today. I have recently changed my cleat position so I think it might be linked to that.

    How you setup the cleats properly?
    http://ridewithgps.com/photos/snapshots ... 749872.jpg
  • roddixon
    roddixon Posts: 100
    How tight did you do them up?
  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    Thank you for the responses. The shoes are definitely not tight, I'm q size nine and they are a ten, with loads of room. Using thin socks too. When it comes to cleat position, they seem fine as far as my leg position/foot position goes. They are sit up to the same orientation as the cleats on my mtb shoes, of which I have no problem.

    Very strange, and of course it completely ruins the ride. I tried using the insoles from my trainers (I've read on the forum that shimano insoles are pretty poor) but to no avail.

    Cheers

    Lee
    Chubbs Cycle Challenge! 3 Chubbs, 3 bikes, 1000 miles for S.U.D.E.P. Action
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    On an mtb you don't peddle all of the time whereas on a road bike you do, it could be that you are riding in too high a gear and "grinding" as opposed to "spinning" in a higher gear.

    An easy way to test this is to select a gear where it feels like you are spinning your legs a little too much for the first 15 minutes. If you can still feel your feet then carry on doing this for the rest of the ride and see how things go. Of course if your feet are still numb or tingling then try changing up one more cog to see if that is your problem.

    When I started road biking I had similar problems in my left foot, I even tried gel pads in the shoe but it didn't help. Now if I find myself "grinding" I simply change up and pull my pedals up for a few minutes (rather than pushing down) and things get back to normal.
  • outcastjack
    outcastjack Posts: 237
    could be the saddle.
    one of the boats I row in causes me to loose the feeling in my legs/feet within 20-30 mins every time i go out, never had that problem with any other boat.

    the only other time I have a had a similar problem was riding a friends road bike, I just didn't get on with the saddle.
  • litwardle
    litwardle Posts: 259
    Thank you for your responses both. I will certainly take a look at technique, although I'm.not one to mash, rather keep a fairly fast spin and maintain cadence with topography. I was riding with the wife today (who is painfully slow) so maintaining cadence just didn't happen!

    I do hate my seat actually, its the standard bonty race, even after riding the bike for a few moths I can never comfortable (using my sit bones etc just a crap saddle) so maybe ill invest in a new saddle too.

    Food for thought guys, thank you.

    Lee
    Chubbs Cycle Challenge! 3 Chubbs, 3 bikes, 1000 miles for S.U.D.E.P. Action
  • geoff_ss
    geoff_ss Posts: 1,201
    night_porter wrote:
    On an mtb you don't peddle all of the time whereas on a road bike you do, it could be that you are riding in too high a gear and "grinding" as opposed to "spinning" in a higher gear.

    An easy way to test this is to select a gear where it feels like you are spinning your legs a little too much for the first 15 minutes. If you can still feel your feet then carry on doing this for the rest of the ride and see how things go. Of course if your feet are still numb or tingling then try changing up one more cog to see if that is your problem.

    When I started road biking I had similar problems in my left foot, I even tried gel pads in the shoe but it didn't help. Now if I find myself "grinding" I simply change up and pull my pedals up for a few minutes (rather than pushing down) and things get back to normal.

    You spin in a low gear and grind (or push) in a high gear conventionally. ie you use a low gear when climbing a hill.
    Old cyclists never die; they just fit smaller chainrings ... and pedal faster
  • izza
    izza Posts: 1,561
    Doesn't have to be blood - could be nerves.

    http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBC ... _KeyTech09

    Try wedges, cleat position and footbeds. Then unfortunatley, it may be time for new shoes.

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